Once you grow a permanent tooth, they should last a lifetime. However, this requires proper oral care and regular visits to your dentist. In addition, it’s still possible that you’ll need further treatments to protect your teeth and ensure they serve you as long as you need them to. One of those treatments is dental sealants commonly applied during childhood if there is a likeliness of tooth decay.
A dental sealant has a thin coating of plastic that is usually applied to the chewing surfaces of your teeth. These teeth are primarily the back premolars and molars. Dental sealants are clear or white and are not visible on the teeth during activities such as laughing and talking.
Our dentist in Heath, TX, recommends sealants because they protect teeth from bacteria that lead to tooth decay. Most of the time, dental sealants are applied as soon after the chewing surface of your tooth erupts. This is usually between six and 12 years of age.
However, sealants can also be used by teenagers and adults. It can be effective to them when their teeth have grooves or show signs of decay. Our dentist will help you decide the right time for the sealant treatment.
Dental sealant placement in Heath, TX, is usually painless and doesn’t need numbing and drilling medications. First, our dentist will clean your tooth’s surface to remove plaque and food debris from the fissure and pit surfaces of the teeth selected for sealant placement.
Next, they’ll isolate the tooth to prevent the saliva from covering the pit and fissure surfaces. The dentist will then dry the surface of the tooth. They’ll then etch the tooth’s surface in the pit and fissures areas, rinse the etch and dry your tooth. At this point, the tooth will appear chalky.
Dental sealant material is then applied on the surface of your tooth by following the manufacturer’s directions for application. If they use light-cured sealant material, the light will be on for about 30 seconds of visible light.
Finally, your dentist will evaluate your dental sealant and check its performance.
Periodontal gum disease and tooth decay are the leading causes of tooth loss in adults. Both are due to poor oral hygiene. About 25% of adults have tooth decays that are untreated. However, individuals can reduce the risk by practicing good oral health such as brushing, flossing, and eating a balanced diet.
However, tooth decay can result from genes. No matter how perfect their oral hygiene practices are, some adults are more predisposed to decay. This means that there’s a little doubt that many decays in adults are due to poor oral hygiene.
Luckily dental sealants are effective in adults too. You can get your dental sealants placed by a dentist near you. The sealants protect your teeth with a clear thin barrier that coats all the dental surfaces and resists bacteria and plaque.
After getting your dental sealants placed at Arc 32 Family Dentistry, some benefits. Our dentists ensure you’ll have long-term benefits that include;
If you have a tooth that’s showing early signs of decay or you have cavities, then having a dental sealant placed over the tooth’s surface can prevent further deterioration. This is because sealants are clear, and your dentist can keep an eye on the tooth and ensure the sealant is working properly.
With proper oral hygiene, dental sealants can last up to ten years. Routine check-ups and replacements are necessary if you experience wearing and chipping on the sealed tooth. Dental sealants might be the best solution if you’re an adult and still have lingering baby teeth.
Also, if you want to reduce the chances of tooth decay, you should get sealants. They can also protect your teeth from any costly dental procedure in the future due to decay.
In addition to making your brushing routine easier, dental sealants also enhance your smile. This is because there will be fewer food particles at the back of your mouth when you have sealants. That means there will be fewer stains and plaque buildup, meaning you’ll have a healthier and whiter smile.